Episodios

  • Coaching, Motherhood & 100-Mile Wins with Melissa Henderson

    Coaching, Motherhood & 100-Mile Wins with Melissa Henderson
    Jan 9 2026
    In this episode of The Ostrich Running Podcast, Nick sits down with his running coach Melissa Henderson—ultrarunner, 100-mile race winner, coach, and mom—to talk about what it really takes to chase big running goals in a full life.
    Melissa breaks down how she trains for ultramarathons while balancing family, work, and real-world responsibilities. We dive into winning a 100-mile race in under 24 hours, building mental toughness, avoiding burnout, and why consistency always beats talent.
    This conversation goes beyond mileage and race results. It’s about discipline without obsession, ambition without guilt, and learning how to pursue meaningful goals the right way.
    If you’re a runner trying to balance training with life—or someone wondering if big goals still fit your current season—this episode is for you.

    reach Coach Melissa here
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    1 h y 14 m
  • The Psychology of Endurance Running Training Your Mind -Breaking the Comfort Zone

    The Psychology of Endurance Running Training Your Mind -Breaking the Comfort Zone
    Dec 19 2025
    Episode 38 — Training the Mind for the Miles Ahead & The Cost of Comfort In this solo episode of The Ostrich Running Podcast, Nick Meraz speaks directly to the runner listening right now — mid-run, post-race, or somewhere in between. This episode goes beyond mileage and fitness and into the psychology of endurance. We talk about why most runners don’t fall apart at the hardest miles — they fall apart because of thousands of comfortable decisions made long before race day. Nick explores:
    • Why mental readiness matters more than motivation
    • The hidden cost of comfort in training and everyday life
    • How you train your mind for miles you haven’t reached yet
    • Why the edge isn’t dramatic — it’s quiet and earned
    • How discomfort, fear, and consistency shape who you become
    This conversation is designed to feel like a long-run talk — honest, reflective, and grounded in lived experience. No hype. No shortcuts. Just the work that actually carries you forward when things get hard. If you’ve ever felt strong but not ready… this episode is for you. Run Scared.

    Salty 6 Ostrich Salt Sampler
    Alethia Run
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    32 m
  • The Psychology of Showing Up and The Origin of Run Scared

    The Psychology of Showing Up and The Origin of Run Scared
    Dec 12 2025
    In this solo episode, Nick goes deep into the mental side of running — the part no training plan really prepares you for. He breaks down why the hardest part of any run is simply showing up, how identity shifts from “I run” to “I am a runner,” and the three voices every runner carries with them on the road or trail: the Quitter, the Negotiator, and the Champion. Nick also opens up about his own story as a veteran struggling with addiction, how running became a lifeline, and how that journey gave birth to the phrase “Run Scared” and the Ostrich Running brand. If you’ve ever battled your alarm clock, argued with yourself mid-run, or wondered why you keep lacing up when life is heavy — this one’s for you. In this episode:
    • The psychology of showing up when you don’t want to
    • “I am a runner” vs “I run” – how identity changes everything
    • The Quitter, the Negotiator, and the Champion
    • How running helped Nick rebuild his life after addiction
    • What “Run Scared” really means and why it matters
    Listen on your next tempo run, long run, or when you need a reminder of why you do this.

    Alethia Run
    Ostrich Running
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    44 m
  • John Calabrese: Navy Grit, 100 Miles of Pain, Addiction, Redemption & the Taco Bell 50K

    John Calabrese: Navy Grit, 100 Miles of Pain, Addiction, Redemption & the Taco Bell 50K
    Dec 5 2025
    Episode 36 — John Calabrese: Navy Grit, 100 Miles of Pain, Addiction, Redemption & the Taco Bell 50K This week on The Ostrich Running Podcast, Nick sits down with John Calabrese — a 100-mile ultrarunner, Navy vet, father, and survivor who has battled alcoholism, heartbreak, and rock-bottom moments most people never come back from. John shares how running went from an escape in childhood… to a stabilizing force after the Navy… to the tool that helped him rebuild his life.
    We dive into TWOT100, Barkley Fall Classic, hallucinations, training 60–90 miles a week at 45 years old, running impressions mid-race, Ainsley’s Angels, and the infamous Taco Bell 50K. If you love raw, real interviews with runners who have lived some life — don’t skip this one. Topics:
    • Early life & where running began
    • Navy service stories
    • Alcoholism, jail, and turning points
    • Finishing TWOT100
    • Barkley Fall Classic + JFK 50
    • Hallucinating cartoon characters
    • Ainsley’s Angels & running for others
    • The Taco Bell 50K
    • Advice for runners facing darkness Follow John at @breezytrailhead
    Learn More About Ainsleys Angels
    Follow the show @ostrich.running
    Shop Ostrich Salt at ostrichrunning.com
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    1 h y 27 m
  • The Thanksgiving Special — Ultra Records, Chaos, & Gratitude

    The Thanksgiving Special — Ultra Records, Chaos, & Gratitude
    Nov 27 2025
    This week, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving the runner way — by diving into the wildest ultra performances of 2025, spotlighting athletes rewriting what’s possible, and uncovering the surprisingly hilarious history behind the American Turkey Trot tradition.
    We break down massive new records from Will Murray, Lin Chen, Caitriona Jennings, Hans Troyer, Sarah Perry, Phil Gore, and more — with context, commentary, and the backstories you won’t hear anywhere else.
    Then we shift gears into the modern-day Turkey Trot madness and trace it all back to the very first trot in Buffalo in 1896 (spoiler: someone dropped out because breakfast was “too heavy”). This episode is equal parts storytelling, humor, and gratitude — the perfect Thanksgiving companion for a shakeout run or your drive to dinner.
    Run Scared.
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    20 m
  • The Ultra Running Journey of Manika Gamble–Namibia, Rhabdo Recovery–Chasing the Grand Slam

    The Ultra Running Journey of Manika Gamble–Namibia, Rhabdo Recovery–Chasing the Grand Slam
    Nov 21 2025
    Episode 34 — Manika Gamble

    Manika Gamble is an ultra runner, world traveler, and adventure-driven athlete who refuses to let setbacks define her. From completing her first ultra in Namibia with blistered feet, to battling and recovering from rhabdomyolysis, to chasing one of the most prestigious achievements in endurance — the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning — her story is one of courage, curiosity, and pure heart.

    We talk about her mindset, her lessons from recovery, balancing life and running, the joy of exploration, and her mission to become the first African American woman to complete the Grand Slam.

    This one is inspiring on every level.

    Run Scared.

    Manika's Important Links
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    52 m
  • Ruairí Moynihan The Freestyle Runner- Ultra Running, Mindset, Flow state with Trail GangstAZ

    Ruairí Moynihan The Freestyle Runner- Ultra Running, Mindset, Flow state with Trail GangstAZ
    Nov 14 2025
    Episode 33 — ft. Ruairí Moynihan (Trail GangstAZ)”
    The freestyle king of the desert joins Nick to talk rhythm, resilience, and the art of turning pain into poetry.
    This week on The Ostrich Running Podcast, Nick sits down with Ruairí Moynihan — ultra runner, coach, and the lyrical powerhouse known as Trail GangstAZ. He’s the artist behind the Ostrich Running anthem, a member of the Aravaipa Running Team, and fresh off a sub-9-hour finish at Javelina Jundred 100K — good for 6th overall. From dropping bars mid-race to rebuilding after injury and loss, Ruairí shares how rhythm, mindset, and movement collide to create something bigger than sport.
    🎧 Topics include:
    • Freestyling through pain & finding flow in miles
    • Coaching mindset: building rhythm instead of burnout
    • Recovery after heel surgery & losing his father
    • The story behind Trail GangstAZ and creating the Ostrich anthem
    • What it means to “Run scared” when life hits back
    🎤 Plus: Ruairí closes the show with a freestyle made for the flock. Listen, feel, and run scared. 🔖

    Visit TrailGangstAZ for merch and events
    Follow on IG: @trailgangstaz
    Sign Up For Flagstaff Doggie Dash here
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    1 h y 2 m
  • The Stories That Changed Me. What I learned Interviewing Ultra Marathon Runners

    The Stories That Changed Me. What I learned Interviewing Ultra Marathon Runners
    Nov 7 2025
    Episode 32 – The Stories That Changed Me
    In this solo episode, I reflect on what I’ve learned after 30+ conversations with ultra runners who have redefined what endurance means.
    🎧 Act 1: The Common Threads
    What do all 100-milers have in common? From addiction recovery to chasing clarity — these runners aren’t just logging miles, they’re rewriting their lives.
    🎧 Act 2: Interviews That Changed Me
    From veterans to parents, from the broken to the bold, certain stories stuck with me long after we hit stop on the recorder. These are the guests who changed how I see pain, growth, and purpose.
    🎧 Act 3: What I’ve Learned as a Host
    This podcast started as a way to share stories… but it’s become something much deeper. I talk about how the mic made me a better runner, listener, and person — and what’s coming next for the show. 🎙️ Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or this is your first listen, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to run scared — and build something meaningful along the way. 👟
    Brought to you by:
    • Ostrich Running
    • Alethia Runs
    📺 Watch on YouTube: @OstrichRunning
    🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: Ostrich Running Podcast
    📲 Follow on Instagram: @Ostrich.Running
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    36 m
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